trade in

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in

Meanings

1

Give an old item as part-payment for a new one

Why “in”? You reach a place and become present there. The train gets in, you check in, or the news comes in.

He traded in his old car.
He gave his old car as part-payment for a new one.
They traded in the old printer for a new one.
They gave the old printer as part-payment for a new one.

Don't confuse with

trade intrade off

Trade in means give an old item as part-payment for a new one. Trade off means accept one thing in exchange for losing another.

Test yourself

He traded in his old car. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

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